Important Takeaways
- Delhi government has temporarily banned app-based taxis, such as Ola and Uber, that operate outside of the state.
- This move is part of a series of measures by the government, including introducing the odd-even rule for vehicles and a temporary ban on construction activities.
- Commuters travelling from neighbouring cities like Gurgaon and Noida to Delhi will be affected as only Delhi-registered cabs will be allowed to operate within the city.
Edits:
No edit has been made to this article since it was first published.
-----
The Delhi government has temporarily banned app-based taxis, such as Uber and Ola, registered in other states, from entering the national capital in response to the escalating pollution crisis in Delhi. The decision was made due to concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding pollution levels and the need to address the worsening air quality.
The air quality in Delhi has been rapidly declining and categorised as 'severe' for several consecutive days. As a result, the government has taken decisive steps to curb pollution. A ban has been implemented on non-Delhi registered commercial cabs from ride-hailing apps, and only cabs registered within Delhi are permitted to operate in the city.
Commuters who use ride-hailing services such as Uber and Ola to travel to places like Gurgaon and Noida will be affected by this directive. Cabs registered in neighbouring states such as Haryana (HR) or Uttar Pradesh (UP) will not be allowed to enter Delhi. If your journey involves passing through Delhi, the cab must be registered within the city to continue providing its services.
The Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has stated that only taxis registered in Delhi will be allowed to operate within the city. Uber, a major cab aggregator, has claimed it is already following pollution protocols by using CNG or electric cars in Delhi. However, the government's decision aims to improve air quality further by limiting the number of non-Delhi registered vehicles.
This move may inconvenience some commuters, but it's expected to greatly improve Delhi's air quality. The government also aims to enhance public transportation, like the metro, to make travel easier for citizens.
The air quality in Delhi has reached hazardous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400. In response, the city has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat the severe air pollution. One of the significant contributors to pollution is stubble burning, and the government is urging residents to take precautions. These include spending less time outside during peak pollution hours, using air purifiers, and wearing masks, especially for those with respiratory issues.
-----
Date & time of posting: 10 November 2023, 12:06 AM IST
Posted by: Matter5 News Team
For any query, contact us here.
